4 Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress

Posted on Thursday, November 10th, 2016 at 12:54 am

Everyone has experienced times when their life was very stressful. The source of that stress can vary. It can be difficult to know how to cope. Fortunately, there are some healthy ways to reduce stress. The best part about the healthy ways to reduce stress is that you can do them without feeling guilty about causing yourself any harm.

Healthy Ways to Reduce Stress

YogaYoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. The Mayo Clinic says that studies have shown that yoga may reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga can also enhance your overall mood and sense of well-being.

Check to see if there are yoga classes being offered where you live. People take yoga classes at their gyms. There might be a place that is dedicated to teaching yoga. If all else fails, you can try following along with a YouTube video about yoga.

Take a Bath
Parents might remember when their baby was small and a nice, warm, bath helped him or her calm down and become relaxed. Baths can have that affect on adults, too. Hot baths can soothe muscle aches, which can be very helpful for people who have been physically tense for a long time due to stress.

Baths are the ultimate “me time”. Soaking in warm water makes most people feel good. Some people like to add scented bath products in order to enhance their feeling of relaxation and self-care.

Acupuncture
According to Psychology Today, acupuncture works to reduce stress and depression. In short, an acupuncturist inserts fine needles into certain acupuncture points in order to remove the roadblocks that stop energy, or “qi”, from flowing through the body.

People who receive acupuncture lie on a comfortable table. After the needles are in place, the lights are lowered and calm music is played. Some people use aromatherapy along with acupuncture. The person is left to relax for a certain period of time. Many feel “blissed out” and very relaxed after receiving acupuncture.

Take a Nap
There are a lot of people who are sleep deprived. The person might work too many hours or work far away and have to get up early for a long commute. Parents of young children are often sleep deprived. Some people lose sleep due to stress and anxiety.

Take a 20 minute nap in the afternoon. That nap might provide you with more rest than an extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning. People naturally feel more tired in the afternoon, which makes it the perfect time for napping. Sleep lets your body, and your mind, recharge.